Arrangements under way to deploy peacekeepers in southern Sudan

KHARTOUM, Apr 19, 2005 (Sudan Tribune) — The UN official spokeswoman in Sudan, Radhia Achouri, has said that the military commanders who are supervising the deployment of foreign troops in southern Sudan to monitor the cease-fire agreement have started arriving in the country “albeit in small numbers”.

Spokesperson for the United Nations advance mission in Sudan (unamis) Radhia Achori.(AP).

Speaking to the daily Al-Ray al-Amm, Achouri said that arrangements for the deployment of foreign troops was running smoothly, and that military teams were inspecting deployment sites ahead of setting up the necessary infrastructure.

Regarding the file of the “Darfur crisis”, Achouri stressed the need for “good preparations” ahead of the Abuja talks between the government and the rebel movements so that the next round of talks would be “decisive”.

She also said she was expecting the Nigerian envoy, Gen Abdulsalaam Abubakar, who is currently visiting the country, to have talks with the UN special representative to Sudan, Jan Pronk, on the arrangements under way ahead of the next round talks at Abuja.